Opposition to the Los Angeles Public Schools Wi-Fi Policy
March 25, 2013 Update
On
March 19, the Executive Committee of the American Academy of
Environmental Medicine, an international association of physicians and
other professionals, wrote a letter to the Los Angeles Unified School District
that makes the following recommendation:
"do
not add to the burden of public health by installing blanket wireless internet
connections in Los Angeles schools. Hardwired internet connections are not only
safer, they are stronger, and more secure."
The
letter discusses why precaution is warranted:
"There
is consistent emerging science that shows people, especially children are
affected by the increasing exposure to wireless radiation. In September 2010,
theJournal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine ‐ Fertility and
Sterility reported that only four hours of exposure to a standard laptop using
WiFi caused DNA damage to human sperm."
"In May 2011, the World Health Organization elevated
exposure to wireless radiation, including WiFi, onto the Class 2b list of
Carcinogens."
"In
October 2012, the AAEM issued a public warning about WiFi in schools that
stated:
'Adverse
health effects from wireless radio frequency fields, such as learning disabilities,
altered immune responses, and headaches, clearly exist and are well documented
in the scientific literature. Safer technology, such as use of hardwiring, is
strongly recommended in schools.'”
"In
December 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics ‐ representing 60,000
pediatricians, wrote to Congress requesting it update the safety levels
ofmicrowave radiation exposure especially for children and pregnant
women."
"The
WiFi systems in schools are typically hundreds of times more powerful than the
home consumer systems you may be familiar with. They are also dozens of times
more powerful than the cafe and restaurant systems you may have beenexposed to.
The WiFi systems in schools are necessarily more powerful than anymicrowave
communication systems in any other setting because they are requiredto run
hundreds of computers simultaneously. They are also exposing children ‐ the
most vulnerable to microwave radiation ‐ to extended periods all day, for their
entire childhood."
"This
is an unprecedented exposure with unknown outcome on the health and
reproductive potential of a generation."
"To
install this system in Los Angeles risks a widespread public health question
that the medical system is not yet prepared to answer."
The
Academy forewarns the District, "caution must be exercised to
prevent a potential public health disaster."
"It
is unlikely that there are currently enough doctors in Los Angeles County
familiar with the biological effects of microwave radiation to diagnose and
treat the numbers of children who will potentially become symptomatic from
exposure to your wireless system should you elect to install it. Statistics
show that you can expect an immediate reaction in 3% of your students and
time‐delayed reactions in 30% of them. This will also include teachers."
The full text of this letter is available at:
American Academy of Environmental Medicine Letter to LAUSD 3-19-2013
March 11, 2013 Update
Dear School Board Members:
I wish to bring to your attention a press release I distributed today as it is relevant to the District's Technology Plan. At a recent meeting, the Board decided to adopt a Wi-Fi system in the LA Unified schools against the recommendations of some American health experts as well as the Council of Europe:
http://saferemr.blogspot.com/2013/02/testimony-in-opposition-to-lausd-wi-fi.html and
http://saferemr.blogspot.com/2013/03/council-of-europe-called-for-council-of.html.
As you may know, the FCC's regulatory standard protects the population from thermal exposure to microwave radiation from wireless equipment but not from low-intensity, non-thermal exposures.
Since the District ignored these warnings and intends to install wireless networks in the schools, I suggest you consider a requirement that the systems be designed consistent with the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle in order to minimize potential health risks to students and staff. It would be prudent for the Board to follow this course of action based upon the precautionary principle.
In 2003, a major telecommunications company acknowledged in a patent filing that exposure to low intensity, non-thermal wireless radiation is carcinogenic. The technology described in this patent could substantially reduce microwave radiation exposure from a local wireless network. Although I have not done a patent search, I would imagine that the wireless industry holds numerous patents that could reduce microwave radiation exposure from wireless local networks. Unfortunately, the industry has little incentive to apply these patents to extant technology because the FCC has been lax in its regulation of microwave radiation.
The District could become a model for the nation by adopting a Wi-Fi system and distributing tablets/laptops that are compliant with the ALARA principle. School districts and their students throughout the country could also benefit if the Board requires the wireless industry to make this option available to the public.
Sincerely,
Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D.
Wireless Industry's Patented System to Reduce Cancer Risk from Wireless Local Networks Never Adopted
A major telecom company patented a system to reduce "electrosmog" from wireless local networks to reduce cancer risks associated with non-thermal exposures to microwave radiation. The industry has known the risks for many years but has failed to act. Joel M. Moskowitz, PRLog (Press Release) - Mar 11, 2013
Swisscom AG, a major telecommunications provider in Switzerland, filed U.S. and international patent applications for an innovative system to reduce “electrosmog” from wireless local networks (i.e., Wi-Fi) in 2003.
This patent application acknowledged the cancer risk from exposure to wireless radiation eight years before the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer declared that radiofrequency energy, including cell phone and Wi-Fi radiation, is a “possible carcinogen” to humans, like DDT and lead.
Furthermore, the application acknowledged that low-intensity, non-thermal exposures to wireless radiation is genotoxic. This is critical because the current U.S. regulatory standard for wireless radiation, established in 1996, does not protect us from non-thermal exposures ...
To see entire news release: http://www.prlog.org/12094566
March 7, 2013 Update
Last night, the Los Angeles Teacher’s Union adopted a resolution to ensure safety from hazardous electromagnetic fields (EMF) in schools including EMF emissions from wireless technology. The news release can be found on my Electromagnetic Radiation Safety Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SaferEMR.
February 9, 2013
The Los Angeles Unified School District plans to spend $500 million to install Wi-Fi in every classroom and provide every student with a tablet or laptop.
March 11, 2013 Update
Dear School Board Members:
I wish to bring to your attention a press release I distributed today as it is relevant to the District's Technology Plan. At a recent meeting, the Board decided to adopt a Wi-Fi system in the LA Unified schools against the recommendations of some American health experts as well as the Council of Europe:
http://saferemr.blogspot.com/2013/02/testimony-in-opposition-to-lausd-wi-fi.html and
http://saferemr.blogspot.com/2013/03/council-of-europe-called-for-council-of.html.
As you may know, the FCC's regulatory standard protects the population from thermal exposure to microwave radiation from wireless equipment but not from low-intensity, non-thermal exposures.
Since the District ignored these warnings and intends to install wireless networks in the schools, I suggest you consider a requirement that the systems be designed consistent with the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle in order to minimize potential health risks to students and staff. It would be prudent for the Board to follow this course of action based upon the precautionary principle.
In 2003, a major telecommunications company acknowledged in a patent filing that exposure to low intensity, non-thermal wireless radiation is carcinogenic. The technology described in this patent could substantially reduce microwave radiation exposure from a local wireless network. Although I have not done a patent search, I would imagine that the wireless industry holds numerous patents that could reduce microwave radiation exposure from wireless local networks. Unfortunately, the industry has little incentive to apply these patents to extant technology because the FCC has been lax in its regulation of microwave radiation.
The District could become a model for the nation by adopting a Wi-Fi system and distributing tablets/laptops that are compliant with the ALARA principle. School districts and their students throughout the country could also benefit if the Board requires the wireless industry to make this option available to the public.
Sincerely,
Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D.
Wireless Industry's Patented System to Reduce Cancer Risk from Wireless Local Networks Never Adopted
A major telecom company patented a system to reduce "electrosmog" from wireless local networks to reduce cancer risks associated with non-thermal exposures to microwave radiation. The industry has known the risks for many years but has failed to act. Joel M. Moskowitz, PRLog (Press Release) - Mar 11, 2013
Swisscom AG, a major telecommunications provider in Switzerland, filed U.S. and international patent applications for an innovative system to reduce “electrosmog” from wireless local networks (i.e., Wi-Fi) in 2003.
This patent application acknowledged the cancer risk from exposure to wireless radiation eight years before the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer declared that radiofrequency energy, including cell phone and Wi-Fi radiation, is a “possible carcinogen” to humans, like DDT and lead.
Furthermore, the application acknowledged that low-intensity, non-thermal exposures to wireless radiation is genotoxic. This is critical because the current U.S. regulatory standard for wireless radiation, established in 1996, does not protect us from non-thermal exposures ...
To see entire news release: http://www.prlog.org/12094566
March 7, 2013 Update
Last night, the Los Angeles Teacher’s Union adopted a resolution to ensure safety from hazardous electromagnetic fields (EMF) in schools including EMF emissions from wireless technology. The news release can be found on my Electromagnetic Radiation Safety Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SaferEMR.
February 9, 2013
The Los Angeles Unified School District plans to spend $500 million to install Wi-Fi in every classroom and provide every student with a tablet or laptop.
The
initial $50 million pilot phase for this project was discussed at a
School Board meeting on February 13, 2013. Althoughwritten and oral
testimony was presented to the Board in opposition to this plan based on concerns
about the health and safety of students and employees from continued
exposure to Wi-Fi radiation, the Board approved the pilot plan.
For
background on this issue and video clips, see these news
stories:
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_22568864/tamar-galatzan-l-schools-need-technology-but-how
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_22577480/lausd-approves-50m-computer-tablets
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_22577480/lausd-approves-50m-computer-tablets
Following
are excerpts from eight letters submitted in opposition to the plan.
Excerpts from Selected Letters
Martin
Blank, Ph.D., College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University
“As
a researcher on biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) for over
twenty five years, as well as one of the contributors to the 2007 and 2012
Bioinitiative Reports, I am writing to you concerning the health risks
associated with the radiation from WiFi and to urge you not to install WiFi in
the schools in your district.”
“RF
radiation can cause single and double strand DNA breaks at exposure levels that
are currently considered safe under the FCC guidelines. There are also
epidemiological studies that show an increased risk of cancers associated with
exposure to RF.”
“RF
has been shown to cause other potentially harmful biological effects, such as
leakage of the blood brain barrier that can lead to damage of neurons in the
brain, increased micronuclei (DNA fragments) in human blood lymphocytes--all at
RF exposures that are well below the limits in the current FCC guidelines.“
“As
noted above, many potentially harmful effects, such as the stress response and
DNA strand breaks, occur at nonthermal levels. Since these field strengths do
not cause a temperature increase (the only parameter currently accepted as
dangerous), they are unwisely considered safe. It is clear that the
safety standards must be revised downward to take into account nonthermal as
well as thermal biological responses. Given the problems in current standards,
it is essential, for the protection of ourselves and our children, to take a
precautionary approach and not install a WiFi system.”
Devra
Davis, Ph.D., MPH, Environmental Health Trust
“In
our new paper, we conclude that the weight of scientific evidence available at
this time supports a classification of cell phone and other wireless technology
as a "probable human carcinogen." (2A) The information on which we
base this view includes experimental studies as well as a growing number
of studies in humans. The criteria on which we rely have been validated through
more than three decades of use by the IARC; other materials classified as
probable human carcinogen include: diesel engine exhaust, tars, petroleum
refining and a number of pesticides. Our paper reviews new studies not
available to the IARC in its determination in 2011, including several reports
from the team of Swedish investigators led by Lennart Hardell.”
“We note that the American Academy of Pediatrics has expressed its concerns about the growing exposures to children in a letter to Congress dated 12 December 2012: ‘Children are disproportionately affected by environmental exposures, including cell phone radiation. The differences in bone density and the amount of fluid in a child’s brain compared to an adult’s brain could allow children to absorb greater quantities of RF energy deeper into their brains than adults. It is essential that any new standards for cell phones or other wireless devices be based on protecting the youngest and most vulnerable populations to ensure they are safeguarded through their lifetimes.'”
“We note that the American Academy of Pediatrics has expressed its concerns about the growing exposures to children in a letter to Congress dated 12 December 2012: ‘Children are disproportionately affected by environmental exposures, including cell phone radiation. The differences in bone density and the amount of fluid in a child’s brain compared to an adult’s brain could allow children to absorb greater quantities of RF energy deeper into their brains than adults. It is essential that any new standards for cell phones or other wireless devices be based on protecting the youngest and most vulnerable populations to ensure they are safeguarded through their lifetimes.'”
"As many researchers have noted, children are not merely little adults. Their brains and skulls absorb more radiation than do adults. Empirical data have shown a difference in the dielectric properties of tissues as a function of age, mostly due to the higher water content in children's tissues. High resolution computerized models based on human imaging data suggest that children are indeed more susceptible to the effects of EMF exposure at microwave frequencies."
"Please be aware that national authorities in France and Israel are advising against wi-fi expansion, especially in schools with younger children. Many authorities have noted that standards for wireless exposures differ by several orders of magnitude, with those in the home country of the World Health Organization, Switzerland being among the most stringent in the world."
"In fact, research on this topic remains poorly funded in the U.S. The absence of definitive information on risks from wi-fi in the U.S. at this time should not be interpreted as proof of safety."
"Wired systems are far more safe, secure, and speedy, and avoid potential long term public health issues. In addition, wired systems will protect the growing number of persons who are hypersensitive to wi-fi exposures, as well as limit risks to persons with pace-makers or those with other implanted electronic or metal devices that can absorb greater amounts of such radiation."
Katharina
Gustavs, Cert. EOH, Building Biology Consultant IBN
“Second, as an EMF consultant, I recommend choosing wired
technologies, especially for Internet access in schools and, in general,
keeping RF radiation exposures from all sources as low as possible. In this I
follow the recommendations of the German Federal Office for Radiation
Protection (2007), the Parliament of the Federal State of Salzburg (2007), the
Israeli Parliament (2010), the International Commission for Electromagnetic
Safety (ICEMS), the BioInitiative Working Group (2012), and the Seletun
Scientific Panel (2010), just to name a few. Understand that with each
additional wireless transmitter you add to the school environment, you
unnecessarily increase the overall exposure to radio-frequency radiation for
each student and staff member. Be inspired by other government agencies and
school districts that try reducing the RF exposure of their students and staff
members. “
“Last
year the Physicians’ Working Group of the Competence Initiative not only
launched another International Doctors’ Appeal, but they also released another
warning regarding Wi-Fi in which it says: ‘Wi-Fi radiation seems to be
perceived as particularly stressful. Not only electrohypersensitive people say
so, but also healthy people report their discomfort in the presence of Wi-Fi
radiation.”
“Laboratory
tests of laptops have shown that the exposure level for a user can easily be
greater than 100,000 μW/m2 when the laptop is placed in the lap, which is
definitely higher than even elevated urban RF levels. The recently released EMF
Guidelines by the EMF Working Group of the Austrian Medical Association
consider any level greater than 1000
μW/m2
‘very far above normal,’ and greater than 10 μW/m2 ‘far above normal.’”
“Do
not be fooled by the URS report.* In my testing experience, people tend to
adversely react to Wi-Fi radiation, starting at 100 μW/m2 (0.01 μW/cm2). And
this is not a whole- body, time-averaged value, which would be much lower, but
a peak value. The human body does not care about the ‘accepted practice’ of the
FCC.”
“Also,
basic logic seems to escape the authors of the URS report. On the one hand,
they claim that ‘a cautionary level of 0.1 μW/cm2 is attainablewithin LAUSD
classrooms.’ At what distance from any device? At the user distance? From one
single Wi-Fi device? For any scenario when all devices in a given classroom are
working? How can recommendation
number
3 on page 1-2 be reconciled with number 6? Does this mean that the recommended
cautionary level only applies to a single frequency band, i.e. Wi-Fi? What about
cumulative exposure from all the different types of wireless frequencies?”
“Ambient
exposure levels in a classroom with a Wi-Fi access point may range from
100-4,000 μW/m2 (up to 90,000 μW/m2), depending on a person’s distance to the
access point. Compared to the 10 million μW/m2 of the FCC limit, 1000 μW/m2
(0.1 μW/cm2) may sound rather small. Considering that the natural background
radiation (in which
human
life has evolved) is over a billion times lower (ca. 0.000001 μW/m2), this may
give you pause. For your orientation, I have compiled a table with various
Wi-Fi exposure levels:
“The
electromagnetic quality of our indoor environment is part of a healthy learning
environment. Just because we cannot smell RF radiation does not mean it cannot
cause any harm at low levels. Be smart; invest in wired networks and the future
health of our children.”
Magda
Havas, Ph.D., Environmental & Resource Studies, Trent University, Canada
“The
safest way to connect to the internet in the classroom is through either
Ethernet cable or through fiber optics. The worst way to connect to the
internet from a health perspective is through Wi-Fi routers. However, if
Wi-Fi routers are deployed in the classroom it is essential that the routers be
turned off when not in use and/or turned down to minimize exposure of students
and staff.”
“The
scientific evidence clearly shows that microwave radiation at levels well below
the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) guidelines and at levels now
commonly found inside classrooms with Wi-Fi routers causes cancer in laboratory
animals, causes heart palpitations in sensitive adults, causes reduced sperm
motility and viability, and is associated with symptoms of electrosensitivity
that include–but are not limited to–cognitive dysfunction, pain, fatigue, mood
disorders (depression, anxiety, irritability), dizziness, nausea, weakness,
skin problems, and tinnitus.”
“The
current guidelines for microwave radiation are based on a heating effect of a
healthy adult male (as they were originally designed for military personnel
working near radar antennas). These guidelines were never designed nor
intended to protect children and pregnant women. The guideline in the
U.S. is calculated as the average exposure over a 30-minute period that does
not raise the body temperature of tissue by 1 degree Celsius. The U.S.
has no long-term guidelines and no biological guidelines for microwave
radiation. The guidelines in Russia, Switzerland and many other countries
are 100 times more protective than those in the United States.”
“Furthermore,
in 2011 the World Health Organization classified radio frequency
electromagnetic fields as a possible human carcinogen, which is a warning to
governments around the world. Why would we want to place a possible
human carcinogen in the classroom?”
Martha
Herbert, M.D., Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital :
“In
fact, there are thousands of papers that have accumulated over decades and are
now accumulating at an accelerating pace, as our ability to measure impacts
become more sensitive that document adverse health and neurological impacts of
EMF/RFR. Children are more vulnerable than adults, and children with
chronic illnesses and/or neurodevelopmental disabilities are even more
vulnerable. “
“EMF/RFR from wifi and cell towers can exert a disorganizing effect on the ability to learn and remember, and can also be destabilizing to immune and metabolic function. This will make it harder for some children to learn, particularly those who are already having problems in the first place.“
“EMF/RFR from wifi and cell towers can exert a disorganizing effect on the ability to learn and remember, and can also be destabilizing to immune and metabolic function. This will make it harder for some children to learn, particularly those who are already having problems in the first place.“
“I
urge you to step back from your intention to go wifi in the LAUSD, and instead
opt for wired technologies, particularly for those subpopulations that are most
sensitive. It will be easier for you to make a healthier decision now
than to undo a misguided decision later.”
Olle
Johansson, Ph.D., Dept of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
“In November, 2009, a Scientific Panel comprised of
international experts on the biological effects of electromagnetic fields met
in Seletun, Norway, for three days of intensive discussion on existing
scientific evidence and public health implications of the unprecedented global
exposures to artificial electromagnetic fields (EMF) from telecommunications
and electric power technologies. This meeting was a direct consequence of on-going
discussions already from the mid-nineties, when cellular communications
infrastructure began to rapidly proliferate, and stretching through, among
many, the Benevento (2006), Venice (2008) and London (2009) Resolutions from
this decade, and involving important conclusions drawn from the 600-page
Bioinitiative Report published August 31, 2007, which was a review of over
2,000 studies showing biological effects from electromagnetic radiation at
non-thermal levels of exposure, which partly was published subsequently in the
journal Pathophysiology (Volume 16, 2009). The Bioinitiative Report has, in
addition, recently been updated (2012).”
“The
Seletun Scientific Statement (2011) recommends that lower limits be established
for electromagnetic fields and wireless exposures, based on scientific studies
reporting health impacts at much lower exposure levels. Many researchers now
believe the existing safety limits are inadequate to protect public health
because they do not consider prolonged exposure to lower emission levels that
are now widespread.”
“Furthermore,
based on the available scientific data, the Seletun Scientific Panel states
that:
·
Sensitive populations (for example, the elderly, the ill, the genetically
and/or immunologically challenged) and children and fetuses may be additionally
vulnerable to health risks; their exposures are largely involuntary and they
are less protected by existing public safety standards.
·
It is well established that children are more vulnerable to health risks from
environmental toxins in general.
·
The Panel strongly recommends against the exposure from wireless systems of
children of any age.
·
The Panel strongly recommends against the exposure from wireless systems of
pregnant women.”
“Another
misunderstanding is the use of scientific publications (as the tobacco industry
did for many years) as 'weights' to balance each other. But you can NEVER balance
a report showing a negative health effect with one showing nothing! This is a
misunderstanding which, unfortunately, is very often used both by the
industrial representatives as well as official authorities.”
Joel
Moskowitz, Ph.D., School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
“Based
upon my review of the research of the health effects associated with exposure
to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation (EMR), especially microwave
radiation, I feel compelled to register my concern that adoption of Wi-Fi in
LAUSD classrooms is likely to put at risk the health of many students and
employees in the District.”
“…I
was concerned about the health risks of unnecessarily subjecting 660,000
children to 13,000 hours of Wi-Fi microwave radiation during their K-12 school
years.”
“I
have been calling on the FCC to strengthen its standards and testing procedures
to protect the public and workers from the low-intensity, non-thermal risks of
RF EMR exposure that have been reported in hundreds, if not thousands, of
research studies. These include increased risk of neurological and
cardiovascular problems, sperm damage and male infertility, reproductive health
risks, and cancer.”
“The precautionary
principle should be applied to this critical policy decision. This
principle, developed at a U.N. environmental conference in 1992 states that in
the absence of scientific consensus if an action has a suspected risk of causing
harm, the burden of proof it is not harmful falls on those taking the action,
and all reasonable measures to reduce the risk must be taken. Internet access
can be provided to students through wires or optical fiber without installing
Wi-Fi in the classrooms.”
(Complete letter: http://saferemr.blogspot.com/2013/02/adoption-of-wi-fi-in-los-angeles-usd.html .)
(Complete letter: http://saferemr.blogspot.com/2013/02/adoption-of-wi-fi-in-los-angeles-usd.html .)
Cindy
Sage, M.A., Sage Associates, Santa Barbara, CA
“The
LAUSD will place hundreds of thousands of school children at risk for illness,
learning impairments and other health problems by choosing a delivery
technology that produces a toxic emission (radiofrequency and microwave
radiation) that has recently been classified as a Possible Human Carcinogen.”
“There
is overwhelming evidence that children are more vulnerable than adults to many
different exposures (Sly and Carpenter, 2012), including RFR (Wiart et al,
2008), and that the diseases of greatest concern are cancer and adverse effects
on neurodevelopment. “
“Existing
FCC safety standards are under formal review by the FCC (Proceeding
03-137). The US Government Accountability Office Report of 2012
recommends to the FCC that it formally reassess, and, if appropriate, change
it's current RF energy exposure limit and mobile phone testing requirements
related to likely usage configurations, particularly when phones are held
against the body (US GAO, 2012). The existing FCC public safety standards
cannot be presumed for purposes of the LAUSD decision on wireless to be
protective of public health under these circumstances. The existing
safety limits do not protect against chronic exposures nor against non-thermal
effects of radiofrequency and microwave radiation on human health. They
are specifically not protective of children or smaller-stature individuals
(they are developed to be suitable to protect a six-foot man (in stature). They
address acute, but not chronic exposures. And they are not protective
against biological effects of non-thermal low-intensity RFR exposures for
either children, adults, or the disabled.”
“LAUSD
must incorporate appropriate measures to address the recent World Health
Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classification
of RFR as a Possible Human Carcinogen before subjecting widespread hundreds of
thousands of its District personnel and students to a preventable toxic
exposure. The WHO IARC classified RF radiation as a Group 2B Possible Human
Carcinogen; it joins the IARC classification of ELF-EMF (Extremely Low
Frequency Electromagnetic Fields) as a Group 2B Possible Human
Carcinogen. The evidence for carcinogenicity for RFR was primarily from
cell phone/brain tumor studies but IARC applies this classification to all RFR
exposures.”
“New
scientific studies of radiofrequency radiation of the kind and at the levels
associated with wireless classroom environments report that chronic, whole-body
RFR exposure at levels as low as 0.003 microwatts per square centimeter result
in adverse health effects on children and adolescents (Thomas et al 2008;
Heinrich et al 2010; Thomas et al 2010; Mohler et al 2010). Wireless classrooms
will create unavoidable and involuntary exposure to RFR at levels shown to adversely
affect memory, learning, cognition, attention, concentration and behavior to
school occupants. No level of RFR exposure has been conclusively
determined to be safe.”
“LAUSD
should not encourage or mandate the use of wireless devices like iPads or
wireless computers with associated wireless access points installed in
classrooms; or cell phones in learning environments on LAUSD properties. There
is evidence that is sufficient to warn against chronic use of wireless devices
near or worn on the body related to reproductive organs in both males and
females (See Footnote 1).”
Other
Submissions
Numerous
other individuals submitted written testimony in opposition to the LAUSD WiFi
plan including Stephanie and Jeff Austin, Liz Barris, Mary Beth Brangan (Ecological
Options Network), Susan Brinchman (Center for Electrosmog Prevention), Merry
Callahan, Sue Chiang (Center for Environmental Health), Linda Ewart (Citizens
for Safe Technology), C. Gartz, Shane Gregory, Kim Hahn, Joshua Hart (Stop
Smart Meters), Kawartha Safe Technology Initiative, Elizabeth Kelley, Barbara
Li Santi, Ellen Marks (California Brain Tumor Association), Kiki
Iwata and Gail Nicol, Garril Page, Ray Pealer, Sharon Phillips, Deb
Rubin, Victoria Siever, Toni Stein (Environmental Health Trust), K. Sundmark,
R. Paul Sundmark, and Diane Whitmire.
The
testimony in opposition to this policy is available at:
